Bahrain, February 11, 2026 – The Formula 1 world is shifting into gear as all 11 teams converge on Bahrain for the official preseason testing period, offering the first real glimpse of how teams have adapted to the sport’s sweeping new regulations.
F1 2026 Testing: What to Expect in Bahrain
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The two weeks of testing will be crucial in determining which teams have best navigated the significant rule changes for the upcoming season.
- Testing takes place over two three-day sessions, February 11-13 and February 18-20.
- All 11 teams will participate, including Williams who sat out the Barcelona shakedown.
- The final hour of each day’s testing will be broadcast live, with full coverage during the second test session.
The anticipation is palpable. After a secretive, behind-closed-doors shakedown in Barcelona, teams are now ready to showcase their 2026 challengers in a more public setting. The Bahrain International Circuit will be buzzing with activity as engineers and drivers fine-tune their machines, searching for every possible advantage.
What’s the schedule for the Bahrain tests? The first three-day test runs from Wednesday, February 11 through Friday, February 13, followed by a second test from Wednesday, February 18 to Friday, February 20, before the season officially kicks off on March 8.
Testing Times and Broadcast Details
Each day of testing will follow a consistent schedule, beginning at 7 a.m. GMT (10 a.m. local Bahrain time) and concluding at 4 p.m. GMT (7 p.m. local time). Each four-hour ‘session’ will be followed by a one-hour break, often utilized for media engagements.
For the opening three days, fans can catch the final hour of testing live on F1’s broadcast partners, including Sky Sports F1 in the UK, airing from 3 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. GMT. Throughout the entire three days, timing information will be available on the official F1 website, and a live blog will be maintained by ESPN.
The second test session will be broadcast live in its entirety.
Who’s on Track?
For the first time this season, all 11 teams will be in action. Williams, who opted to skip the five days of the Barcelona shakedown, will finally unveil their 2026 car. Teams are expected to utilize their confirmed race drivers throughout the testing period, as mastering the all-new cars will be paramount.
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Which F1 team is on top after the Barcelona shakedown?
Nate Saunders and Laurence Edmondson share their picks for the favourites heading into the Formula One Bahrain tests.
Who Are the Frontrunners?
Mercedes has emerged as an early favorite, demonstrating strong performance and racking up significant mileage during initial testing. However, McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari are all expected to challenge for the top spot in Bahrain. Aston Martin and Williams present intriguing possibilities with their innovative designs, though both teams have limited track time so far. Alpine and Racing Bulls have also shown promise, while Audi and Cadillac face the task of further developing their new entries.
The fastest times recorded during both the Barcelona and Bahrain tests can be found here.
Bahrain Testing Schedule – All Times GMT
Bahrain Test 1
Wednesday, Feb 11: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday, Feb 12: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday, Feb 13: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Bahrain Test 2
Wednesday, Feb 18: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday, Feb 19: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday, Feb 20: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
